Incubator question-newbie

[texanborn]

In relation to this wonderful Sticky here:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...oler-incubator

Okay Stupid question from the newbie...please don't hurt me...

First off the set up is awesome, love it! Now explain the process of how it works to me. I understand incubators need certain levels of heat and humidity but how does the heat tape and capped water bottles play into this?- wouldn't this allow for no humidity possible since its capped tight? or is misting required to build up/maintain the humidity ever so often? Is the LED light solely for viewing or used also for temp/humidity? Are there issues with overheating the water bottles and releasing BPAs and causing issues with eggs? (more curious on that question than serious.)

I understand the fridge set up model with the fans and the heat tape but on this I'm just missing something very very obvious here *facepalm*. Again forgive the stupidness!

[llovelace]

Each egg container will have a medium ie vermiculit, hatchrite, perlite, or can be medium free and just have water in it. the water bottles that some use are just to maintain temps, there is no issue with them burning unless you have a malfunction with the heat tape.

[Lthv]

Imagine it this way, when you open the door you allow all the warmed air inside to escape; however, if you have Some water bottles already heated to the correct temperature the air temp will rise and stabilize much faster at your desired temps.

As Lisa said the substrate in each incubation container will help maintain that individual boxes humidity, if you are having problems keeping the desired levels you can always add an open container with water which will evaporate and help with humidity. If you have close to airtight boxes this won't likely be necessary though.

[texanborn]

Thank you both! That makes perfect sense now. LOL I should not try to figure out things at 1am but I knew I was missing something obvious. Duh! Its a great method and I'll enjoy making it when I'm ready to breed. *HUGS*